Patriot of the Month - Sgt. Major John Champe

Sgt. Major John Champe was born in Aldie, VA, in 1753. He was a senior enlisted soldier in the Continental Army and became a double agent in an unsuccessful attempt to capture the traitor, Benedict Arnold.

On a visit to West Point on Sept. 25, 1780, Gen. George Washington went to meet with Major Arnold, the fort’s commander. Upon arrival there was no cannon or salute; Arnold was not there. After reading papers left there, Washington, with a stony face, said “Arnold has betrayed me”. He had conspired with the British for months. A hero of the Battle of Saratoga, and a ferocious leader, his love of money and status had forced a court martial in 1779 over charges of corruption. Washington believed Arnold planned to turn him over to the British along with West Point. But he needed more information and decided that capturing him the best course of action. He had to be stopped. He summoned one of his most trusted officers, Lt. Col. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee (the father of Robert E. Lee). He asked Lee to suggest a soldier with the utmost courage, the ability of a sailor, a soldier with brute strength, great intelligence and a believer in the cause. Lee only knew one man - Sgt. Major John Champe. Champe seemed to fit the bill. He could also read and write. Lee worried that Champe would refuse – he would not want the men to count him a traitor. Washington called Champe to his tent and said “I have watched you ever since you joined the corps, and I know you to be uniformly brave, discreet, orderly, sagacious and full of ambition”. How would he accomplish this task? It would behoove him to be chased by his own men who would pursue him as a deserter as he raced to enemy lines. At 10:30 pm he took off after being challenged by a sentry He was reported, and Lee pretended disinterest. His men did not desert. Champe was followed at a furious pace. With his men only 300 ft. behind, he used a shortcut to Paulus Hook where British galleys were moored. There, he yelled “Help! and was pulled aboard. He told the British that American morale was low and many would desert and they believed him. Champe also learned there were no other people in cahoots with Arnold. The plan fell apart. Arnold was sent by Gen. Clinton south to Norfolk, VA and Champe was forced to leave with him, not able to send Lee a message. Lee waited, then told Washington the mission had failed. When Arnold left for England, Champe’s travels ended. He slipped away and eventually returned to his unit. Lee wrote many years later that he was treated with appreciation and respect. Champe returned home to VA after resigning his commission. He then moved with his wife and 7 children to what is now Pendleton, West Virginia and struggled financially. He became ill and died in 1798 near Prickett’s Fort and was buried there without a headstone. His family spent decades applying for compensation for his service with minor results. The Sgt. Major John Champe Chapter, SAR, dedicated a marker to him in 2001.

Reported by Teresa McCarthy, Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter, NSDAR